See George Strait before 'The Cowboy Rides Away'

George Strait will retire at the end of his two-year “The Cowboy Rides Away” tour, but local fans of the king of country can rest a little easier knowing that one of his last dates will be in Des Moines.

Strait will play Wells Fargo Arena April 18. The tour ends sometime in June in Dallas.

Strait, 61, played The Well with Martina McBride in February of last year. He’s touring with a lot of well-known stars, but the actual performers for the Des Moines date won’t be announced until a later date. Potential opening acts are: Jason Aldean, Eric Church, Sheryl Crow, Ronnie Dunn, Merle Haggard, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Lee Ann Womack and Chris Young.

Ticket prices are still TBA, but Strait fan club members will be able to purchase pre-sale tickets starting Sept. 24.

Get in the holiday spirit

Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” will bring holiday cheer to the Civic Center Dec. 10-15. Tickets go on sale at 9 a.m Sept. 23 at the Civic Center ticket office, all Ticketmaster locations, charge-by-phone at 800-745-3000 and online at www.desmoinesperformingarts.org. Groups of 15 or more should call 515-246-2340.

The stage adaptation of the classic film tells the story of two showbiz buddies putting on a production in the picturesque Vermont Inn and finding their perfect mates in the process. Learn more at www.desmoinesperformingarts.org.